CRS Partners in Lebanon

Caritas Lebanon and the Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center

Widely recognized as one of the most respected Lebanese nongovernmental organizations, Caritas Lebanon owes much of its impact to a "need not creed" approach and countrywide presence: 36 field offices, 2 stationary clinics, 8 mobile clinics, and a cadre of hundreds of loyal volunteers. The Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center is known as a leader in serving some 200,000 migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers in Lebanon. Years before the issue of Iraqi refugees hit newspaper front pages, the Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center was providing refugees with specialized help to meet their day-to-day, medical, educational and legal needs.

Nahwa al-Muwatiniya

Launched in 2005, Nahwa al-Muwatiniya (Towards Citizenship) is a nonprofit organization founded by individuals from a mosaic of political, cultural and religious backgrounds. The group has earned a reputation for strategic, creative projects to engage citizens in building a better Lebanese democracy around themselves. Nahwa al-Muwatiniya's projects range from promoting dialogue on pressing social and political issues to advancing transparency and accountability through a vote-tracking Parliamentary Monitor. In all their projects, the organization inspires and involves youth, building their skills and will to become progressive Lebanese leaders.

Permanent Peace Movement

Started as a university peace group in 1986, Permanent Peace Movement became the first nongovernmental organization to be registered at the end of the Lebanese civil war. Since then, they have gone on to develop expertise and networks—in Lebanon, the Middle East and globally—in a range of issues to promote peace. In particular, the group has led efforts to address the problems of small arms and child soldiers. Permanent Peace Movement is also known for its training on conflict transformation. The organization has trained thousands of youth and university students, teachers, nongovernmental activists, and others in topics such as peacebuilding, conflict resolution, communication, democracy and human rights.

Development of People and Nature Association

The Development for People and Nature Association (DPNA) is a nongovernmental, secular association led by social activists to serve children, adolescents, women and people with special needs. DPNA was established in 2003 and now has more than 60 full- and part-time staff members, with 8 field offices around the country. DPNA led postwar rehabilitation efforts in 140 villages in southern and eastern Lebanon, undertaking reconstruction, business development, and civil society support projects, including youth leadership, vocational training and conflict resolution.